When my first daughter was born, everyone was panicked about SIDS.  Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.   Oh, the police tried to pin the deaths of loved infants on the parents, since it was all a mystery.  But, with time, we learned about this insidious problem.

We developed rules that kids had to sleep on their backs.  I never did as a child.  I found this rule somewhat arbitrary, as a result. But, as you will see from the next paragraph it works!

It was thought that resorting to this would stifle the 4500 infant deaths that arise as part of SIDS. (This is about ½ the annual toll that obtained in 1999.)  But, there are manifold causes- accidental suffocation, heart malfunctions, and more. But, half (or more) of these have no known cause- hence the term SIDS, like that explains it or makes it easier for parents to live with after their little darling has died. (It is why we were panicked about Shanna- she was born with an APGAR score of 1.)

We realized that hospitals kept babies swaddled in blankets or sleep sacks.  Maybe that would be a solution?  The problem is improper swaddling can hinder breathing and may cause hip problems in the infant.  Sleep sacks make swaddling safer- and one vendor has been providing free allotments to hospitals for years.

But, these two changes (sleeping on backs and swaddling) keeps the fatalities at 4500 a year.  We still need to remove bumper pads, soft toys, and loose bedding in infants’ cribs.  Especially if they are under 3 months of age.

And, now, at least in Virginia, we are going to try something new.  Ok.  NOT so new.  It has been used in Finland for nearly 8 decades.

Every new parent in the Commonwealth is going to watch an online tutorial about safe sleep habits.  And, go home with a baby box.  (The box is replete with new baby supplies and a firm mattress than can afford the box to serve as a bassinet for the first few months of the baby’s life.)

Oh- and Baby Box Company is providing this for free.  (And, not just in Virginia, but in a few other states – New Jersey, Alabama, Ohio,  and Colorado- and maybe DC soon enough.  Texas won’t adopt it as a state-wide program, but some hospitals are leading the way, anyway.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97P2GmJFQU8

Baby Box expects folks to buy other things from them- especially a variety of baby supplies. And, the publicity- and the repeat orders -should make it worthwhile for them.  Another issue- the CPSC, the Consumer Product Safety Commission does not regulate these boxes, and some folks worry about the safety.  The American Academy of Pediatrics [the Task Force on SIDS] stated that there is a dearth of data substantiating the use of baby boxes.  Moreover, it is unclear if the low rate of SIDS in Finland is due to the baby boxes or something else entirely.   After all, Finland has universal health care, visiting nurses, and extended parental leave.

So, I’m sure you’re all pleased to know that VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) will be evaluating the boxes on behalf of the Commonwealth. This includes how well folks comprehend the instructions and rules, and whether face-to-face, online, or home visit instruction is the best choice.

Let’s hope it is an answer!

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